US007663043B2

(12) United States Patent

Park
(54)

US 7,663,043 B2
Feb. 16, 2010

DISPLAY DEVICE FOR GUITAR TUNERS

2001/0003940 A1*

6/2001

Kondo ........................... .. 84/1

AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING TUNED

STATES OF GUITAR STRINGS USING THE
SAME

2002/0088333 A1*

7/2002

Skubic ................... .. 84/477R

2005/0183566 A1

8/2005 Nash

2008/0105108 A1*

5/2008

(75) Inventor:

In Jae Park, Seoul (KR)

(73) Assignee: Sungeum Music Co. Ltd (KR)

(*)

(10) Patent N0.:

(45) Date of Patent:

Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this

patent is extended or adjusted under 35

U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

SaenZ ..................... .. 84/485R

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

W0
W0

W0 02/080137
W0 2004/ 109244

10/2002
12/2004

* cited by examiner

Primary Examinerileffrey Donels

(21) App1.No.: 11/875,366

Assistant Examinerilianchun Qin

(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiRobert W. Becker & Assoc;

(22) Filed:

Robert W. Becker

Oct. 19, 2007

(65)

Prior Publication Data

US 2009/0056523 A1

(30)

(KR)

.................... .. 10-2007-0088218

(51)

Int. Cl.
G10G 7/02

(52)

US. Cl. ......................................... .. 84/455; 84/454

(58)

Field of Classi?cation Search ................. .. 84/455,

(2006.01)

84/454, 477 R
See application ?le for complete search history.
(56)

ABSTRACT

Mar. 5, 2009

Foreign Application Priority Data

Aug. 31, 2007

(57)

References Cited

A display device for guitar tuners and a method of displaying

the tuned states of guitar strings. The method is performed
such that the control unit performs control so that the back

light emits light having a predetermined color by turning on

the backlight When a tuner is turned on, and then performs
control so that the backlight emits light having a different

color When the tuning of guitar strings is completed using the

display device, Which includes a Liquid-Crystal Display
(LCD) panel provided in an equalizer mounted to a guitar
body, and con?gured to display the tuned states of the guitar
strings, a backlight mounted behind the LCD panel, and a
control unit con?gured to control the LCD panel and the

backlight.

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

6,291,755 Bl *

9/2001

Hine et a1. .................. .. 84/454

2 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

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US 7,663,043 B2

US 7,663,043 B2
1

DISPLAY DEVICE FOR GUITAR TUNERS

AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING TUNED
STATES OF GUITAR STRINGS USING THE
SAME

and is con?gured to display the tuned states of guitar strings;

Furthermore, the backlight changes the color of light When

the tuning of the guitar strings is completed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

color When a tuner is turned on, and emits changed light

and a backlight, Which is mounted behind the LCD panel.

Furthermore, the backlight emits light having an orange 25

having a green color When the tuning of the guitar strings is
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a tuner that is
used to tune a guitar and, more particularly, to a display device
for guitar tuners and a method of displaying the tuned states of

completed.

guitar strings using the same, in Which a backlight is mounted

in a display device, Which is provided in an equalizer mounted
to a guitar body, and displays the tuned states of guitar strings

in an equaliZer mounted to a guitar body, and con?gured to

In addition, the present invention provides a method of

displaying the tuned states of guitar strings using a display

device, the display device including an LCD panel provided
display the tuned states of the guitar strings, a backlight
mounted behind the LCD panel, and a control unit con?gured
to control the LCD panel and the backlight, the method
including: the control unit performing control so that the

using a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, thus enabling

the tuned states to be easily observed even in dark places by

increasing the brightness of the LCD panel during a tuning

backlight emits light having a predetermined color by turning

process, and Which, When tuning is completed, enables a

tuning completion state to be easily knoWn by converting the

color of emitted light, thus making tuning convenient for

on the backlight When a tuner is turned on; and the control unit
20

players.
2. Description of the Related Art
A guitar is a musical instrument that produces sound When
a plurality of guitar strings are strummed or plucked. Gener
ally, six guitar strings, each of Which produces a different
sound, are mounted parallel to each other, and the individual
guitar strings are tuned so that the intrinsic pitches can be

produced by rotating pegs after the guitar strings are installed.

Conventionally, When guitar strings are tuned, a player 5
must determine Whether the guitar strings produce their

pleted.
Furthermore, the backlight emits light having an orange
color When a tuner is turned on, and emits changed light
25

having a green color When the tuning of the guitar strings is

completed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

30

intrinsic pitches using his or her auditory sense. HoWever, it is

dif?cult to determine Whether the guitar strings are accurately
tuned using the auditory sense if the player is not an expert.
In order to solve this problem, a tuner that enables the
automatic determination of accurate tuning so that the intrin

performing control so that the backlight emits light having a

different color When the tuning of the guitar strings is com

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the

present invention Will be more clearly understood from the

following detailed description, taken in conjunction With the

accompanying draWings, in Which:
35

FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a guitar, Which is provided

With an equaliZer to Which a display device for guitar tuners is

sic pitches of guitar strings are realiZed has been developed

mounted, according to the present invention;

and used.
The conventional tuner enables the determination of 15

FIG. 2 is a plan vieW of the equaliZer to Which the display

device for guitar tuners is mounted, according to the present

accurate tuning by displaying the pitches of respective guitar

strings for Which tuning is conducted using an LCD panel.

invention;
40

FIG. 3 is a sectional vieW of the equaliZer to Which the

HoWever, the LCD panel of the tuner is a body that does not

display device for guitar tuners is mounted, according to the

emit light itself, and thus it is dif?cult to easily and quickly

present invention;

observe tuned states. In particular, a number of places at

FIG. 4A is a diagram shoWing a display screen Which

indicates that the display device for guitar tuners is in an

Which a guitar is played, and Waiting places, such as back

stage locations, are dark, and thus it is dif?cult for players to

45

observe pitch indication and tuning completion indication,

FIG. 4B is a diagram shoWing a display screen which 15

indicates that the display device for guitar tuners is in an ON

Which are displayed on the LCD panels of their tuners, When

performing tuning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

state, according to the present invention;

50

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping

in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and the
present invention is intended to provide a display device for
guitar tuners, Which enables a player to easily observe the

invention;
55

invention;
60

tuners, including: a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel,

FIG. 4E is a diagram shoWing a display screen Which

indicates that tuning is completed When the display device for

guitar tuners is in an ON state, according to the present

invention; and

even in dark places.

Which is provided in an equaliZer mounted to a guitar body,

FIG. 4D is a diagram shoWing an example of a display

screen Which indicates that the pitch of a guitar string is high
When the display device for guitar tuners is in an ON state

While tuning is being performed, according to the present

Furthermore, the present invention is intended to provide a

The present invention provides a display device for guitar

FIG. 4C is a diagram shoWing an example of a display

screen Which indicates that the pitch of a guitar string is loW
When the display device for guitar tuners is in an ON state

While tuning is being performed, according to the present

tuned states of guitar strings and a tuning completion state,

thus enabling the guitar strings to be conveniently tuned even
in dark places.

method of displaying the tuned states of guitar strings using

the display device, Which enables a player to easily observe
the tuned states of guitar strings and a tuning completion
state, thus enabling the guitar strings to be conveniently tuned

OFF state, according to the present invention;

65

FIG. 5 is a diagram shoWing an example of pitch indica

tions of guitar strings, Which are displayed on the display
screen of the display device for guitar tuners, according to the
present invention.

US 7,663,043 B2
3

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

color of light emitted from the backlight 12 is changed to

green When the tuning of the guitar strings 2 is completed.
The method of displaying the tuned states of guitar 5

The present invention is described in detail With reference

strings using the display device for guitar tuners according to

to the accompanying drawings below.

the present invention, described above, is described With ref

FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a guitar, Which is provided

With an equalizer to Which a display device for guitar tuners is

erence to FIGS. 4A to 4E beloW.

FIG. 4A is a diagram shoWing a display screen Which

indicates that the display device for guitar tuners is in an
OFF state, according to the present invention, FIG. 4B is a
diagram shoWing a display screen Which indicates that the
display device for guitar tuners is in an ON state, according
to the present invention, FIG. 4C is a diagram shoWing an
example of a display screen Which indicates that the pitch of
a guitar string is loW When the display device for guitar tuners

mounted, according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan vieW of the equalizer to Which the display
device for guitar tuners is mounted, according to the present
invention, and
FIG. 3 is a sectional vieW of the equalizer to Which the

display device for guitar tuners is mounted, according to the

present invention.
As shoWn in FIG. 1, the display device 10 of the present

is in an ON state While tuning is being performed, according

invention includes an equalizer 1 that is mounted to a guitar

to the present invention, FIG. 4D is a diagram shoWing an

example of a display screen Which indicates that the pitch of

body. The equalizer 1 is mounted at a predetermined location

of a guitar body in order to amplify guitar sound, Which is
produced When guitar strings 2 are strummed or plucked,

through a separate speaker.

a guitar string is high When the display device for guitar tuners
is in an ON state While tuning is being performed, according
20

The equalizer 1 functions to adjust and modulate various S

components of sound, such as bass, midrange and treble,

display screen Which indicates that tuning is completed When

Which are produced by the guitar body. The equalizer 1 is

electrically connected to the ampli?er/speaker system via a

jack that is mounted to the guitar body. Accordingly, When the

25

guitar is played, the sound, Which is produced by the guitar

body, is appropriately adjusted and ampli?ed, so that a loud
sound can be listened to through the speaker.
The display device 10 for guitar tuners according to the
present invention, as shoWn in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes an

LCD panel 11 for displaying the tuned states of guitar strings,

a backlight 12 mounted behind the LCD panel 11, and an
acrylic panel 13 mounted in front of the LCD panel 11.
The LCD panel 11 is con?gured to display various tuned
states, Which Will be described later, using a great number of
segments. This LCD panel 11 does not emit light itself, and

30

35

thus it is dif?cult to be aWare of display information if the

LCD panel 11 is not located in a bright place.

The backlight 12 includes a light source, a Light Guide
Plate (LGP) having a light guide function, a lamp cover
having a light re?ecting function, a re?ector sheet, a diffuser
sheet having a light diffusing function, a diffuser plate, and a
prism sheet having a brightness enhancement function.
The light source is responsible for supplying light. In this
case, it is preferred that the light source be able to change the

color of light. The LGP is responsible for converting linear

light into planar light. The lamp cover is responsible for
re?ecting light from the light source to the LGP. The re?ector
sheet is responsible for preventing light loss from occurring in
a rear part. The diffuser sheet is responsible for diffusing light
from the LGP. The diffuser plate is responsible for obscuring
the visibility of the light source. The prism sheet is respon
sible for converging light Within a speci?c angle range.
Since the above-described backlight is a Well-knoWn tech
nology, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

40

45

50

55

60

The present invention causes the color of light, emitted

device is turned on and thus is in an operating state, and the

apart from the central reference indication to the left as the

approaches the central reference indication as the guitar

string s pitch becomes closer to the reference pitch. When the
pitch of a guitar string is too high, the arroW indication is
displayed on the LCD panel 11 and is located to the right of

spaced apart from the central reference indication to the right

as the pitch of the guitar string increases, and its location
approaches the central reference indication as the guitar
strings pitch becomes closer to the reference pitch.
The inverted triangular central reference indication 5
beloW the D indicates the pitch corresponding to the guitar
string. These pitch indicators are classi?ed into seven types
corresponding to the alphabet letters A to G, as shoWn in
FIG. 5.
When tuning is conducted as described, the backlight 12 10
emits light having an orange color, and thus the LCD panel 11
is brightly vieWed in orange color.

When the guitar pitch has been tuned to the corresponding

intrinsic reference pitch, that is, When tuning is completed, a
diamond-shaped indication is displayed under the central

from the backlight 12, to be changed When the tuning of the

emitted from the backlight 12 is orange When the display

erence indication and a mode indication CHROMA is dis

played on the LCD panel 11, as shoWn in FIG. 46, and the
backlight 12 emits light having a predetermined color. In this
case, the predetermined color is orange.
In this state, the tuning of the guitar strings 2 is conducted
While the guitar strings 2 are strummed or plucked. When the
pitch of a guitar string is too loW, an arroW indication is
displayed on the LCD panel 11 and is located to the left of the
central reference indication, as shoWn in FIG. 4C. In greater
detail, the arroW indication is located such that it is spaced

the central reference indication, as shoWn in FIG. 4D. In

greater detail, the arroW indication is located such that it is be

interposed betWeen the backlight 12 and the control unit 20,

and protects the LCD panel 11 and backlight 12.

guitar strings is completed. In greater detail, the color of light

the display device for guitar tuners is in an ON state, accord

ing to the present invention.
For convenience, no color is indicated on the display
screens of the LCD panel, shoWn in the respective draWings.
When the poWer sWitch 15 of the equalizer 1 is turned on in
the state of FIG. 4A, a tuner operates, and the control unit 20
controls the LCD panel 11 and the backlight 12.
When the tuner operates, an inverse triangular central ref

pitch of the guitar string decreases, and its location

The acrylic panel 13 is responsible for protecting the LCD

panel 11.
The above-described display device 10 is controlled by a
control unit 20, Which is provided in a tuner Printed Circuit
Board (PCB). A buffering member 30, such as a sponge, is

to the present invention, and FIG. 4E is a diagram shoWing a

reference indication and, at the same time, control is per

65

formed such that the backlight 12 emits light having a differ

ent color. The different color is green. This state is shoWn in
FIG. 4E.

US 7,663,043 B2
5

In this state, the backlight 12 emits light having a 20 green

color, and thus the LCD panel 11 is brightly vieWed in the

providing a backlight mounted behind the LCD panel;

providing a control unit con?gured to control the LCD

panel and the backlight;

green color.

providing a buffering member interposed betWeen the

backlight and the control unit for protecting the LCD

A player can tune the guitar strings While the backlight 12

emits light as described, so that the pitches of the guitar
strings can be easily observed during the tuning process.
Furthermore, the color of light emitted from the backlight
12 changes When the tuning is completed, so that the fact that
the tuning has been completed can be quickly knoWn.

panel and backlight;

performing a ?rst control step by the control unit, Wherein

during said ?rst control step, the backlight emits light

having a predetermined color by turning on the back

Accordingly, in the case Where it is necessary to play a

light When a tuner is turned on;

guitar in Which the display device 10 for guitar tuners accord

ing to the present invention is provided, the guitar can be

performing a second control step by said control unit after

completion of said ?rst control step by the control unit,

Wherein during said second control step the backlight
emits light having a different color When tuning of the

quickly and easily tuned, in particular, tuning can be easily

conducted even in dark places.

In accordance With the display device for guitar tuners and

the method of displaying the tuned states of guitar strings
using the same according to the present invention, the display
device is provided in the equalizer, Which is mounted in the
guitar body, the backlight is mounted to the display device for
displaying the tuned states of guitar strings, the LCD panel is
made bright When the tuner operates, and the color of light
emitted from the LCD panel changes When tuning is com

guitar strings is completed;

displaying a central reference indication representing a

reference pitch of said guitar on said LCD panel When

the tuner operates, Wherein When the pitch of a guitar
string is too loW relative to said central reference indi
20

indication, Wherein a position of said arroW indication

approaches the central reference indication as the guitar

pleted, so that a player can easily observe the tuned states even

in dark places. Furthermore, the tuning completion state can

be easily known, so that tuning is convenient for a player.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present inven
tion has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled
in the art Will appreciate that various modi?cations, additions
and substitutions are possible, Without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accom

string pitch approaches the reference pitch, and Wherein

25

that as the pitch of the guitar string increases, the posi

30

What is claimed is:

1. A method of displaying tuned states of guitar strings,

erence indication as the guitar string pitch approaches

the reference pitch.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1, Wherein during the
?rst control step, the backlight emits light having an orange

comprising the folloWing steps:

guitar strings;

When the pitch of a guitar string is too high, the arroW

indication is displayed on the LCD panel spaced apart
and to the right of the central reference indication, such
tion of said arroW indication approaches the central ref

panying claims.

providing a display device, the display device including an

LCD panel provided in an equaliZer mounted to a guitar
body, and con?gured to display the tuned states of the

cation, an arroW indication is displayed on the LCD

panel spaced apart and to the left of the central reference

color When the tuner is turned on, and Wherein during the
35

second control step, the backlight emits changed light having

a green color When tuning of the guitar strings is completed.
*